Clutch Release Hub and Bearing

Wipe all oil and dirt off the clutch release hub and bearing (7548). The clutch release hub and bearing is prelubricated and should not be cleaned with solvent. On all vehicles, the clutch release hub and bearing are serviced as a single unit. Do not disassemble for inspection or replacement.

Inspection

Inspect the clutch release hub and bearing as follows:

• Hold the clutch release hub and bearing and back plate. Rotate outer race while applying a compressive pressure. If bearing rotation is rough, replace clutch release hub and bearing.
• Inspect/remove any surface scoring or burrs that may impede the sliding motion of the clutch release hub and bearing on the transmission main drive gear bearing retainer (7050). Any scoring or burrs should be polished off with a fine grade emery paper.

Prior to installation, lubricate for clutch release hub and bearing operation with lithium base grease such as Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or -K or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B, at the following points:

• Fill annular groove of clutch release hub and bearing.
• Thin coat on inside diameter of clutch release hub and bearing.
• Fingers of clutch release lever (7515) (7.3L diesel and 7.5L gasoline engines only).
• Fulcrum point of clutch release lever (7.3L diesel and 7.5L gasoline engines only).

Failure situations for release bearing operation include the following:

• Misalignment of clutch release lever (7.3L diesel and 7.5L gasoline engines only).
• Misalignment between engine (6007) and transmission (7003). This condition will exhibit symptoms such as transmission jumping out of gear, driveshaft vibration, excessive spin time resulting in gear clash, and clutch chatter on start-up.